International Old-timer Vehicles Exhibition “A”, May 20–21, 2011

In May, the Old-timer Vehicles Association Kamnik celebrated its tenth anniversary with the 2nd International Old-timer Vehicles Exhibition “A” and a gathering held beforehand.

On the evening before the exhibition, Friday, May 20, members of the association, friends, and guests gathered in a tent set up at Terme Snovik. The gathering, attended by the leadership of the SVS Federation led by President Mr. Janko Uratnik and the Mayor of Kamnik, Mr. Marjan Šarec, was intended for socializing, introducing the exhibition participants, and reviewing ten years of work. The tent also hosted a photo exhibition featuring detailed shots of old-timer vehicles, captured over the past four years by Mr. Janez Kukec Mezek during his involvement with the association.

Along with culinary specialties from four Slovenian regions (Prlekija and Prekmurje, Primorska, Štajerska, Dolenjska, and Gorenjska), partly contributed by exhibition participants, the association presented awards to its most deserving members, sponsors, and some institutions and companies whose support has been crucial. Among the awardees were the Vice-President of the SVS Federation, Mr. Vladimir Perkič, and the Municipality of Kamnik, with Mayor Šarec accepting the award. The evening was enlivened by Mr. Bojan Šulek and Mr. Tomi Vrlič, who entertained the guests with humor.

The exhibition itself took place on Saturday, May 21, in beautiful weather. Participants gathered with their vehicles at the Duplica Tennis Club, which for the second year kindly offered its courts for assembling and organizing the vehicles. After registration and the usual preparations, a procession of old-timer motorcycles set off towards the center of Kamnik at 10:00 a.m., followed by the cars at 10:30 a.m. The route led through the town, allowing many visitors to admire the vehicles along the way.

At the Main Square in Kamnik, a short presentation of the participating vehicles took place, followed by a break to view them. The exhibition was joined by ambassadors from Austria, Venezuela, and Hungary, the military attaché of Germany, the economic attaché of Turkey, the attachés of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia, and the consuls of the Philippines and Jordan. The association was especially honored by the presence of the Mayor of Kamnik, Mr. Marjan Šarec, who dedicated much of his day to the event despite his busy schedule. The program included a performance by the Kamnik Town Band and greetings from representatives of the participating foreign clubs (the Regional Club Steiermark Nord from twinned Trofaiach, the Veteran Car Club Jičín from the Czech town of Jičín, and Mr. Istvan Kisapati from Hungary), as well as the Mayor of Kamnik.

After the program in Kamnik, the visit concluded, and the processions of vehicles and motorcycles headed through Godič to Arboretum Volčji Potok, where the vehicles were displayed along the park’s main avenue. Visitors, including participants of the Nordic Walking event organized by the newspaper Dnevnik, who finished their walk at the Arboretum, also admired the vehicles. After the stop in this beautiful setting, all vehicles returned to the Duplica Tennis Club in Šmarca, where participants received trophies and medals, marking the end of this year’s exhibition.

This 2nd International Old-timer Vehicles Exhibition “A” brought 34 cars and 26 motorcycles manufactured before 1940 to Kamnik. In addition, several slightly younger old-timer vehicles participated outside the main processions. The oldest participating car was a Panhard Vagonette from 1897, brought by Mr. Istvan Kisapati from Hungary, and the oldest motorcycle was a Laurin & Klement from 1903, owned by Franc Šibal. Unfortunately, due to illness, Mr. Jan Zapotocky with his 1903 Renault Type C and Mr. Joseph Kisapati with his 1902 Laurin & Klement motorcycle could not attend, but they promised to join next year. Among the motorcycles and cars, about one-third were vehicles participating for the first time, making the exhibition even more interesting.

Prospects for the next exhibition in 2012 are very promising, thanks to the support pledged by the Mayor of Kamnik and sponsors willing to back the association’s efforts to bring even more technical marvels from the past centuries to Kamnik each third Sunday in May. Organizing such an event incurs very high costs, and without the support of the Municipality of Kamnik and companies such as Calcit, Zavarovalnica Triglav, Avto Lev d.o.o. (Vrhnika branch), Abanka, and others, it would not be possible. We must also acknowledge all members of the association, their families, and friends, whose volunteer work made the exhibition a success.

On the occasion of the tenth anniversary, we extend our heartfelt wishes to the Old-timer Vehicles Association Kamnik, led since its founding with great energy and success by President Mr. Miroslav Vrhovnik, for many more successful years ahead.